Man accused in fatal hammer-beating of co-worker in Harris Co. hotel

By Dale Lezon |
November 20, 2013

A 28-year-old Lampasas man has been accused in the beating death of a co-worker during a confrontation at a motel in east Harris County.

Justin Allen is charged with murder in the death of James Taylor about 12:30 a.m. Nov. 6 at 5420 E. Sam Houston Parkway, according to a the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Harris County court records indicate Allen is being held in the Harris County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

According to a complaint filed in the case, Allen hit Taylor with a hammer and other unknown objects.

Allen, Taylor and other construction workers were staying at the hotel while they worked on a construction job in the Houston area, said Jeff McShan, a spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

McShan said Allen called his father, who was also staying at the motel with the construction crew, and told him he had killed his roommate. When deputies arrived they found the man dead in the room he shared with Allen. He was wrapped in a blanket. They also found a hammer in trash can outside the room.

McShan said Allen told deputies Taylor had made sexual advances toward him and that led to the confrontation between them.

Allen was injured in the fight and was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital. He was taken into custody after he was treated. Details of his injury were not available.